Safe Riding Programme for cyclists and PMD users to be launched by July: LTA

LTA personnel giving a preview of the Safe Riding Programme. ST PHOTO: ADRIAN LIM
A boy goes through the Safe Riding Programme course. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

SINGAPORE - A 90-minute course to educate cyclists and users of personal mobility devices (PMDs) on safe riding practices will be launched by July this year.

The Safe Riding Programme will also put participants through a training circuit and familiarise them with the rules and codes of conduct under the Active Mobility Act.

The course, which was piloted since May last year (2016) as a programme mainly for cyclists, has been expanded to include PMD users, such as those on electric scooters and hoverboards, along with riders of electric bicycles.

Giving a preview of the programme during the Car-Free Sunday (Feb 26) event at the Civic District, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the course will be "fully subsidised" for a start.

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It will be available at selected community centres, schools and migrant worker dormitories by July.

Based on feedback from the pilot sessions, the LTA said the course was shortened from half-a-day to 90 minutes, and the "hands-on" training circuit was expanded to include PMD users.

GRAPHIC: LTA

"The training circuit simulates various scenarios that cyclists and riders may encounter when using public paths, and allows trainers to correct participants as they practise the safety skills learnt," said LTA.

It features straight and S-line courses to help participants build up their skills and confidence in handling their devices at various speeds and situations, the authority added.

The LTA said it will call a tender in the coming weeks, to appoint training providers to develop a pool of trainers to conduct the course.

GRAPHIC: LTA

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